In a recent UFC Fight Night in Austin, Texas, the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community was left in an uproar following a controversial referee decision during the bout between Jalin Turner and Bobby Green. Veteran referee Kerry Hatley came under fire for what many have described as a dangerously delayed stoppage after Turner rendered Green unconscious in the first round.
Controversial Stoppage
The incident occurred when Turner landed a decisive blow that left Green incapacitated. Despite this, Hatley allowed the fight to continue for approximately 12 seconds, during which Turner delivered additional strikes to his defenseless opponent before the referee finally intervened. UFC president Dana White did not mince words in his assessment of the situation, labeling it "one of the worst I've ever seen" in a post-event interview.
White's frustration was palpable as he recounted past refereeing errors, noting that while some referees have made questionable comments justifying their decisions, Hatley was aware of his mistake and regretted the oversight. This acknowledgment, however, did little to quell concerns over fighter safety—a paramount issue within the sport.
Fighter Reactions
Turner, on his part, defended his actions by stating that it is the fighter's job to continue until the referee steps in. The contest, which lasted two minutes and 49 seconds, ended with Green exiting the Octagon without assistance, displaying sportsmanship by refraining from blaming Hatley and instead praising Turner for seizing the opportunity on short notice.
"You win some, you lose some, I guess," Green reflected on Instagram. He continued, expressing respect for Turner's performance and acknowledging the significance of his opponent stepping up to the challenge.
Green had originally been scheduled to face Dan Hooker, but after Hooker withdrew due to an arm injury, Turner took the co-headlining spot on nine days' notice. His victory over Green snapped a two-fight losing streak and improved his UFC record to 7-4, with all wins coming by knockout or submission.
Community Backlash
The late stoppage sparked outrage among MMA figures, prompting discussions about the necessity of safeguarding fighters' wellbeing. During the live ESPN broadcast, former champion Michael Bisping voiced his disapproval, questioning Hatley's judgment and pointing out the dire consequences of such delayed interventions on fighters' lives and health.
"He was face down, he was getting teed off on by a world-class, very powerful striker. Kerry Hatley is a great referee, but what the hell was he waiting for?" Bisping commented, calling the incident "utterly disgusting and disgraceful."
Daniel Cormier, former two-weight UFC champion, echoed these sentiments on social media, denouncing it as "one of the absolute worst stoppages in MMA history." He stressed the seriousness of the situation, with the fighter prone on the ground receiving punches without the referee's timely interference.
UFC lightweight Chase Hooper also chimed in, describing the stoppage as "brutal" and agreeing that the fighter was not in a position to defend himself intelligently. Dustin Poirier, former interim lightweight champion, labeled the stoppage "horrible."
As the MMA community awaits responses or potential actions from the UFC and relevant authorities, the incident has reignited conversations about the role of referees and the imperative to prioritize fighter safety above all else in the sport.
Such incidents serve as stark reminders of the risks inherent in combat sports and the heavy responsibility shouldered by referees to act swiftly and decisively to protect athletes. The backlash following the Turner-Green fight underscores the need for continuous scrutiny and improvement of officiating standards to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
For now, the MMA community holds its collective breath, hoping for a resolution that reinforces the commitment to the well-being of its fighters, who put their health on the line each time they step into the Octagon.